Business: BigSis

Sections: ST Series, Biotech, Biomedical, Research & Development

Country: United Kingdom

Product Family: ST Series pressure vessel system

Background

This project supported a fast-growing UK-based biotech company specialising in sustainable pest control. The company uses a sophisticated, science-led technique known as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which has been proven over the past 60 years as an effective method to reduce populations of insect pests without the use of harmful chemicals.

This method involves releasing sterile male insects into the environment to mate with wild females. These matings produce no offspring, which leads to a steady and controlled decline in the pest population. The challenge, however, lies in how to consistently raise, feed, and manage insects at scale using high-precision, hygienic systems.

Engineering Challenge

The client developed a fully automated process that integrates artificial intelligence and robotics to raise sterile male insects for field release. As part of this system, they required a feeding and dosing unit capable of delivering a highly specific, pre-treated nutrient fluid to the insect population.

This fluid needed to be:

• Pre-heated and maintained at a controlled temperature.
• Mixed to ensure a consistent composition.
• Delivered in micro-doses with high repeatability.
• Compatible with jet valve dispensing technology for precise feeding.

The challenge was further amplified by the need to scale the solution for industrial-level use while maintaining cleanliness, temperature stability, and dosing accuracy. Off-the-shelf solutions were either cost-prohibitive or unable to meet the process control requirements.

Engineering Solution

SR-TEK worked closely with the client’s engineering team to develop a customised pressure vessel system that could pre-condition and deliver the fluid in line with their automation process.

The solution involved a bespoke ST Series pressure vessel, custom-built to accommodate fluid heating and mixing stages while delivering precise pressure to an external dispensing valve. The entire process—from fluid pre-treatment to final dispensing—was engineered for scalability, ease of cleaning, and long-term repeatability.

The ST Series vessel ensures that the fluid remains stable in temperature and composition as it is transported from the tank to the insect feeding system. The modular nature of SR-TEK’s vessels allowed the client to easily integrate the solution into their larger robotic infrastructure.

Result

The new feeding and dosing system helped the client automate a highly sensitive part of their insect control process. With SR-TEK’s precision-engineered vessel, they were able to maintain tight control over the fluid properties, ensuring the insects received consistent nutrition at each stage of development.

By developing the system from scratch instead of purchasing a pre-built alternative, the client significantly reduced costs while gaining full control over the production and maintenance of the system. The scalable nature of the solution also means that additional production lines can be added as demand grows—without reinventing the process.

This project is a strong example of how SR-TEK’s pressure vessels can support new, sustainable technologies by enabling process control, repeatability, and cost-efficiency in challenging and evolving fields like biotech and pest management.

Specifications

• 1x STEL Series pressure vessel
• Material: Stainless steel 316
• Seals: EPDM
• Mixing blade: stainless steel 316 with 300W motor
• Relief safety valve: stainless steel 316, 6 Bar
• Pressure control: pressure regulator and gauge